Cherry blossoms are synonymous with springtime in Japan. Sakura, the Japanese word for cherry blossoms, bloom between March and May across Japan—beginning with Okinawa in the far south and ending with Hokkaido in the north. In Japanese culture, the fragility and fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms act as a metaphor for life.

About the Author:The Tuttle Publishing Company was established in 1948 in Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan and is today regarded as a premier publisher and seller of books rooted in Asian culture, language and history.

Since its founding in 1948, Tuttle has published more than 6,000 books and today maintains an active backlist of around 2,000 titles.